Harry Kyriakodis

A historian and writer about Philadelphia, I have collected what is likely the largest private collection of books about the City of Brotherly Love: about 2,500 titles, new and old. This is what got me thinking about writing Philadelphia's Lost Waterfront (2011) for The History Press. Then, it was a short step to write (as a sequel, of sorts) Northern Liberties: The Story of Philadelphia River Ward (2012) for the same publisher. Note that no histories of these Philadelphia neighborhoods had ever been written before. My latest project is a postcard history book about the Benjamin Franklin Parkway for Arcadia Publishing (released on July 7, 2014).

In addition to books, I also write for Hidden City Philadelphia (look for "Harry K's Encyclopedia") and am a researcher for Sam Katz's documentary film series on Philadelphia (produced by History Making Productions) called "Philadelphia: The Great Experiment." A founding/certified member of the Association of Philadelphia Tour Guides, I regularly give walking tours and presentations on unique yet unappreciated parts of the city. I'm a graduate of La Salle University (1986) and Temple University School of Law (1993) and was once an officer in the U.S. Army Field Artillery.